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NEW PORT RICHEY - Not that they are undeserving, but River Ridge softball coach Ernie Beck said team recognition contributed to three of his players making all-state.
Kiki Von Holt, Janet Houck and Stephanie Seaman were named to the Florida Sports Writers Association's Class 5A all-state team. That trio helped lead the Royal Knights to their third straight state tournament this season.
"There might be kids that deserve it," Beck said of other county players, "but when they don't make it outside the county (in the playoffs) it's tough.
"A few years ago I had kids that maybe deserved it. I think it's the exposure."
Houck, a junior who batted .321 with 14 RBIs and 27 runs, concurred.
"It was because of the team we were on that I got on," said Houck, a right-fielder for two seasons before switching to third base this year. "I'm glad. It made me feel good that I got on the same team as Kiki and Stephanie."
Von Holt, a two-time Times' All-Pasco County and Sunshine Athletic Conference Player of the Year, was named to the 5A first team. Houck made the third team and Seaman was an honorable mention.
Von Holt, a Saint Leo signee and the Knights' only senior, is the winningest pitcher (55 victories) in school history. That includes a school-record 22 wins this season. She also holds the school strikeout records (526 in a career, 235 this season).
"She pitches tough," Beck said. "They get a hit off her once in a while, but then she bears down."
Seaman, a defensive stalwart as a junior centerfielder, led the county this season in batting average (.461), hits (41) and runs (29).
"Stephanie does a great job," Beck said. "I wouldn't take any other centerfielder I know over her. Then again, I'm not all over the state watching other teams."
Von Holt, Houck and Seaman have started on each of River Ridge's state playoff teams. The Knights, who have 85 wins in the past three seasons, lost in the 4A finals in 2002 and 2003 (both times by one run to Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas) before this season's 5A semifinal loss, 3-2 in 15 innings against Naples.
"I don't know what it's like not to go to states," Houck said. "If we don't go my senior year I'm going to be upset."